DMU A3, Florida

South-central Florida flatwoods and Lake Okeechobee basin — predominantly slash pine flatwoods, wet prairies, oak-cabbage palm hammocks, freshwater marshes, and improved cattle pasture. The landscape is low and flat with seasonal flooding that concentrates deer and hog on elevated hammocks and pine ridges. Thick palmettos dominate the understory. Fisheating Creek corridor provides riparian hardwood swamp habitat. The Kissimmee River floodplain to the north transitions into the Everglades headwaters to the south.

moderate

Annual bag limit is 5 deer, with no more than 2 antlerless. Antlered deer must have at least one antler with 3 or more points (each at least 1 inch) OR a main beam of 10 inches or more — this APR applies to hunters 16 and older. Antlerless deer are open during the first 16 days of archery/crossbow season and during a short general gun window (the Saturday before the fourth Thursday in November through the following Tuesday). On most WMAs, antlerless harvest requires a quota permit. No bear hunting in DMU A3 (black bear seasons limited to D1 and D2 in north Florida).

DEER: Archery/Crossbow season Aug 2-17 (antlerless open first 16 days); Youth Deer Hunt Weekend Sep 13-14; General Gun season Nov 22-25 (antlerless open Sat before 4th Thu in November through 3 days after); Muzzleloader season Dec 6-12 and Feb 23-Mar 1; bag limit 5 deer/season, max 2 antlerless; 3-point or 10-inch main beam APR. HOG: Wild hogs may be taken year-round on private land with no bag limit; on WMAs hogs are typically open concurrent with deer seasons; no license required to trap hogs on private land. Check individual WMA brochures as some allow hog hunting outside deer season. TURKEY (OSCEOLA): Spring turkey season south of SR 70 opens Mar 7 through Apr 12 on lands outside WMA system (2026); Youth spring turkey season opens Feb 27 south of SR 70; WMA-specific spring turkey dates vary — quota permits required on Fisheating Creek and Everglades Headwaters NWR units; bag limit 2 gobblers per season. BEAR: No bear hunting in DMU A3.

Prime Osceola turkey country south of SR 70 with excellent populations in the Kissimmee River and Fisheating Creek drainages. Wild hog action is nearly year-round on WMAs with no closed season on hogs outside of quota deer hunts. The Lake Okeechobee basin ranks among Florida's best destinations for trophy whitetails on private leases. Public land hunting on Kissimmee River PUA requires no quota permit, making it one of the most accessible large tracts in south Florida. Avon Park AFR offers managed hunts on lightly pressured military lands.